Swine Flu Type Virus Reported In Iowa

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed three mildly ill children with viruses similar to the swine-origin influenza A (H3N2) viruses identified in three other states. These viruses contain the "matrix (M) gene segment" from the 2009 "Swine Flu" pandemic known as H1N1 virus.

This combination of genes was first identified in a person in July. There have been several more infections with this virus, bringing the total number of human infections to 10 (Indiana 2, Pennsylvania 3, Maine 2, and Iowa 3). All 10 patients have recovered and the majority of cases had relatively mild symptoms, although 3 patients were hospitalized.

This new occurrence of the virus is being described as a "novel strain" and as yet does not appear to be causing significant illness or spreading at any great rate, which was the fear in 2009. Iowa has increased its monitoring of any influenza type illnesses.